Front suspension problem?

[Si]

hi all, I was out and about last evening and I happened to be reversing up an incline on quarter lock; got loads of grinding noise on off side front wheel. the tyre is fouling in the inner arch but at the rear of the arch not top or front. I have taken photo and it looks really tight but not sure what it should look like. Do you think shocks or should I be looking at something else, I think the car has standard suspension. Tyres are new just 400miles I am sure it didn't do this before but I have more tread now!!
View attachment 16706

 

[Brian H]

No attachment Si!

 

[Si]

No attachment Si!

Doh ! Sorr

 

[Brian H]

That does look close, have you a picture of the whole wheel in the wheel arch with the front wheel pointing forwards?

 

[Si]

That does look close, have you a picture of the whole wheel in the wheel arch?

Oh yes both sides....

 

[Brian H]

With the wheel straight it does not look bad, if you put your hand on the top of the wheel and push the wheel forwards/backwards do you get a lot of movement?

 

[Si]

Sorry about the duplictae pictures Brian, I read a lot of thread but don't post many. Si

 

[Jack Ratt]

Has your anti roll bar detached itself?

 

[Brian H]

Has your anti roll bar detached itself?

Don't this will allow that sort of movement jack, I'm thinking the rear bush could be worn.

 

[Si]

With the wheel straight it does not look bad, if you put your hand on the top of the wheel and push the wheel forwards/backwards do you get a lot of movement?

No play front to back and no play "in and out" but an audible knocking noise in and out only on drivers side - I can feel it in the tyre as I grip it...

 

[Brian4]

If you put the wheelbrace on a wheel nut at the 3 o'clock position and push down does the wheel twist slightly, if so it is the control arm bushes worn.
The front suspension is an L shaped one end fixed to the wheel middle to the body both with ball joint and the long arm of the L bolts to the body with a rubber bush which go soft and allows the front to move about.

 

[Brian4]

Quick vid here says E46 but very similar.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmnQDh8A6eE

 

[Si]

Last weekend I thought I could here a rubbing taking left hand bends on country lanes. Could this be the same issue do you think? I put it down to over exuberance and the fact I was on my own...!

 

[Brian H]

Last weekend I thought I could here a rubbing taking left hand bends on country lanes. Could this be the same issue do you think? I put it down to over exuberance and the fact I was on my own...!

Yep sounds like the same issue, you will see if the plastic has wear marks on it.

 

[Si]

No..no twist the wheels with a wheel brace on either front wheel no movement at all all seems very tight that way

 

[t-tony]

It could be something as silly as a deformed wheel arch liner Si, with, as you point out lots more tread on your tyres. It really is quite common thing to see.

Tony.

 

[Si]

I think my local indie might need to have a look, everything seems really solid including the plastic inner wing liner, interestingly the plastic inner has worn through this year. I think all this may be about me trusting the car more now. I have had some work done and new set of tyres and I am pushing it more than last year, I wonder whether I am teasing out some problems it's had for some time, still better solved now.
Picture on the top of plastic inner attached which was not like this 1000 miles ago

 

[t-tony]

Best to get it checked Si, sometimes, mainly on rear to be fair, something can get between the plastic liner and the bodywork causing them to deform. Do you have spacers on the front wheels? They do look as though they stand out well to the edge of the wings.

Tony.

 

[Si]

No spacers to my knowledge Tony. That said the wheels have only been off in workshops so I will have a look. I really like the stance it has and it sounds really bad not knowing but due to illness and family commitments I have not had the opportunity to check it against any others Zeds. I wanted to go London to Brighton but ended up following events from my sons room in University College Hospital London: home agin now though and enjoying evening sunshine

 

[t-tony]

Sorry to hear about the hospital visit mate we've experienced a lot of that over the years, I hope it wasn't too serious. Are these the original fit standard wheels and what width are they? Just some things to check, hope you get to the bottom of it mate.

Tony.